Disc-type merry-go-round



Dec. 16, 1958 M. R. CASTILLE 2,864,515

DISC-TYPE MERRY-GO-ROUND Filed Feb. '7, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Michel Rene Casf/l/e IN VEN TOR.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mic/2 e/ Rene Cast/Ila IN V EN T 0R.

MM FM M. R. CASTILLE DISC-TYPE MERRYGO-ROUND Dec. 16, 1958 Filed Feb. 7, 1957 United States Patent DISC-TYPE MERRY-GO-ROUND Michel Rene Castille, Opelousas, La. Application February 7, 1957, Serial No. 638,880

3 Claims. (Cl. 27237) The present invention generally relates to an amusement ride device and more particularly to an improved and novel construction in a merry-go-round in which novel movements are employed for the occupant carts or chairs.

An object of the present invention is to provide an amusement ride device in the form of a merry-go-round which is adapted for use in amusement parks, carnivals, fairs or the like and which may be either permanently installed or provided with a structure which permits of assembly and disassembly for providing a portable and easily transported amusement ride.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a merry-go-round in which the occupant carts revolve about a central axis at the center of the entire merry-goround at the same time they are revolving about the disk or gear they are mounted on generally about the center of the disk which is rotated and also about a vertical axis generally extending downwardly from the carts or chairs thus providing three independent movements to the occupants or riders of the device for providing an amusing merry-go-round type ride.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the meIry-go-round of the present invention with the canopy or roof arrangement broken away illustrating the details of construction of the merry-go-round;

Figure 2 is a transverse, vertical sectional View taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 22 of Figure 1 illustrating further structural arrangements of the merry-go-round; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally upon a plane passing along section line 33 of Figure 1 illustrating further structural details of the drive mechanism for the occupant carts.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral generally designates the merry-go-round ride device of the present invention which includes a vertically extending stationary central post or shaft 12 supported from a suitable supporting surface 14 by a base 16. Rotatably journaled on the post 12 is an enlarged plate 18 supported on a plurality of roller bearings 20. Disposed inwardly from the peripheral edge of the plate 18 is a ring gear 22 in meshing engagement with a drive pinion gear 24 mounted on a radially extending drive shaft 26 which may conveniently extend beyond the periphery of the merry-go-round so that the power source (not shown) which may be any internal combustion engine or electric motor may be disposed for ready access thereto and for permitting adequate control by the operator of the device which may be disposed exteriorly of the merry-go-round.

IS'EZIUOIIEIIY gear mounted thereon, a plurality of radially 2,864,615 Patented Dec. 16, 1958 ICC Supported on the rotatable plate 18 are radially extending arms 28 which intersect and are rotatably journaled on the vertical post 12. Rigidly secured to the vertical post 12 is a stationary enlarged gear 30 which overlies the arms 28 and is in meshing engagement with a small idler gear 32 carried by a shaft 34 on the arms 28. Each of the arms 28- is provided with an idler gear 32 in mesh ing engagement with the stationary gear 30 whereby rotation of the arms 34 by driving the drive shaft 26, thus driving the ring gear 22 and plate 18 will cause the idler gears 32 to roll around the stationary gear 30.

Each of the arms 28 is provided with an enlarged gear 36 mounted on a vertical shaft 38 rigid with the arm 28 whereby the gear 36 is in meshing engagement with the idler gear 32 thus driving the gear 36 about the stationary shaft 38. Also mounted on the shaft 38 is a bevel gear 40 which is non-rotative therewith whereby the gear 36 will rotate in relation to the gear 40 and the gear 36 is in the form of a disk or enlarged circular member rotatable about the shaft 38.

Mounted on each of the gears 38 is a plurality of L-shaped brackets 42 having a vertical shaft 44 extending therethrough and extending through the gear 36 with 1 an occupant cart or chair 46 supported on the upper end thereof and a bevel gear 48 supported on the lower end thereof. A short drive rod or shaft 50 extends through the depending leg of the bracket 42 and includes a bevel gear 52 thereon in meshing engagement with the bevel gear 48. The inner end of the shaft 50 which extends radially is journaled in a collar or adapter 54 on the shaft 38 and the shaft 50 is also provided with a drive pinion bevel gear 56 in meshing engagement with the enlarged bevel gear 50 mounted rigidly on the stationary or non-rotating shaft 38 whereby rotation of the gear 36 about the non-rotative shaft 38 will cause rotation of a cart or chair 46 about the vertical axis formed by the vertical shaft 44. It will be understood that as many carts or chairs 46 as desired may be mounted on each disk of gear 36 with each of them being driven and rotated about the vertical axis of moving about the center of the stationary shaft 38 and at the same time revolving about the center of the stationary vertical post 12.

The peripheral edge of each gear 36 is provided with an upstanding protective fence 58 thereon with the fence 60 being provided with diametrically arranged openings 62. The non-rotative shaft 38 extend vertically and rigidly support a canopy or roof 64 of any suitable construction which will protect the persons occupying chairs and also provide adequate area for illumination and other attention attracting devices. Entrance ramps or exit ramps 66 may be provided at diametrically opposed points on the ride device and the fences 58 may be supported from the gears 36 in any suitable manner and the number of roller bearings 20 may be varied as deemed desirable or necessary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An amusement ride comprising a base having a extending arms intersecting and supported from said base, each of said arms having an idler gear in meshing engagement with said stationary gear, each of said arms having a disk gear in meshing engagement with the idler gear whereby the disk gear will be caused to rotate about an axis through its center while the arms are rotated about the axis of support on the base, each of said disk gears having a chair supported by a shaft eccentrically mounted thereon for rotation about a vertical axis through said disk gear. center, andmeans for driving said chairs about a vertical axis through saidshaft.

2. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said means for drivingsaid chairs about a. vertical. axis through said shaft includes a bevel drive gear fixedly supportedv by said disk gear, a small bevelgear rigid with said chair shaft, a radially extendingrod, a pair of small bevel gears thereon with one being in meshing engagement with the bevel drive gear andthe other being in meshing engagement with the'bevel gear. on the chair shaft whereby rotational movernentof the. disk gear will cause rotation of the chair about thevertieal axis of the shaft.

4 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said arms include a supporting circular plate, bearing means underlying said platc, and a drive mechanism associated with said plate for driving said arms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

